Amplify Blog

Aaron Lieberman Leading Early Learning Initiative

We are pleased to share that Aaron Lieberman, co-founder of both Acelero Learning and Jumpstart, is leading a bold, new effort focused on early learning at New Profit. Aaron has spent the past year at New Profit refining the concept of a public-private partnership to identify, select, and scale Early Childhood Support Organizations. We are excited that this work is now moving into a launch phase.

The ECSO Initiative is a public-private partnership that will provide resources and align incentives to support better outcomes for children enrolled in center-based Head Start and subsidized childcare programs. ECSOs will serve as intermediary organizations that partner with these local-center based early learning providers to help them implement the ECSO’s articulated program model, covering all the areas we know are essential for high quality program delivery and long-term impact.

Aaron brings deep experience in the early learning field to New Profit. Aaron started his career as a Head Start teacher in Boston, where he also founded and served as CEO of Jumpstart from 1994 until 2002. Jumpstart works to ensure that every child in America to enter kindergarten prepared to succeed. To date, over 50,000 college students have served as Jumpstart Corps members directly working with over 100,000 young children and their families. Jumpstart was one of the first organizations to ever receive an investment from New Profit, and Vanessa Kirsch served as Jumpstart’s founding National Board Chair.

In 2002, Aaron founded Acelero Learning, one of the boldest leaders in the early learning field in its aspirations, scale, and results. Acelero Learning is focused on closing the achievement gap for thousands of Head Start children and families across the country. Head Start children enrolled in Acelero Learning’s core Head Start program make gains at nearly three times the national average. Today, Acelero Learning has over $70 million in annual revenue, employs over 1,300 dedicated staff, and directly impacts over 30,000 low-income young children every day. Aaron served as CEO until 2015 when he transitioned into the role of chairman. Acelero Learning was the first for-profit that ever New Profit to receive an investment from New Profit, and David Levy serves as the New Profit representative on Acelero Learning’s Board of Directors today.

Aaron is excited to now serve as a Partner at New Profit in this new capacity – as a “system entrepreneur” focused on creating systemic change in the early learning space.